Filabot is a small desktop extruder that takes plastic chips (cut up, for example from soft drink, milk or detergent bottles), heats and fuses them together in an extrusion for use in FDM 3D printers such as Makerbot.

With 15 days to go at time of press, Filabot have already achieved their target funding goal of $10,000. However I believe – aiming for closed loop means of production, even at small volumes, is a noble environmental goal and I encourage others to contribute to the Filabot project.

David is an industrial designer from New Zealand. He contributes a weekly article on personal fabrication for Ponoko. Follow him on Twitter!